Which tributary of the Indus River flows through the state of Himachal Pradesh in India?

Introduction / Context:
The Indus River system has several important tributaries that flow through India before joining the main river in Pakistan. Knowing which tributaries pass through which Indian states is an important part of Indian river and drainage geography. This question asks you to identify which tributary of the Indus flows through the state of Himachal Pradesh, highlighting the connection between Himalayan rivers and state level geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The main river in focus is the Indus, and we are concerned with its tributaries.
The state specified is Himachal Pradesh in northern India.
Options include Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Hunza.
We assume familiarity with the general courses of these rivers.

Concept / Approach:
The Sutlej River is a principal tributary of the Indus and flows through Himachal Pradesh after originating in Tibet. It enters India near the Shipki La pass, traverses the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh and then flows into Punjab before eventually joining the Indus. While Beas and Ravi are also rivers of the Indus system, the question commonly emphasises Sutlej as the direct Indus tributary noted for flowing through Himachal Pradesh. Hunza is a tributary that flows largely in the northern areas beyond Indian territory. Therefore, focusing on the standard association of Sutlej with Himachal Pradesh and the Indus basin leads to the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by consulting maps of Himachal Pradesh and the Indus river system. The Sutlej is clearly marked entering India near the Indo Tibetan border and flowing across Himachal Pradesh. Major hydropower projects such as the Bhakra Nangal project are linked to the Sutlej after it exits the hills. Beas and Ravi also appear on such maps but are often discussed separately from the main Sutlej Indus connection in basic exam questions. This mapping reinforces that Sutlej is the most appropriate answer here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse Sutlej, Beas and Ravi because all are rivers in the north western part of the subcontinent and part of the broader Indus basin. Without looking closely at maps, it is easy to mix up which one is being emphasised in a particular question. To avoid such confusion, remember key associations: Sutlej with Tibet, Himachal Pradesh and major hydroelectric projects; Beas with Kullu valley and Punjab; Ravi with the India Pakistan border areas. This mental mapping helps you answer geography questions more confidently.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Sutlej, because this major tributary of the Indus flows through Himachal Pradesh after entering India from Tibet and is prominently associated with the state in river geography questions.